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iMOSES ATWATER 

OF OANANDAIGUA, N. Y. 

to 

SAMUEL J. ANDREWS 

OF DERBY, CONN. 



A packet of letters relating to the 
early history of Rochester. 



1812-14 



ROCMISTCn HERALD PRESS 
I*I4 









> 



4 



To the Rochester Historical Society : 

These letters were found in a little hair trunk 
studded with brass nails, together with other personal 
effects of my grandfather, in the garret of the house 
he built in 1817 which is still my home. 

They were written by Judge Moses Atwater to 
his friend and brother-in-law, Samuel J. Andrews, 
concerning personal and family matters and — chiefly — 
the conteniphitcd purchase of the Atwater and An- 
drews Tract, which is now nearly in the centre of 
the city of Rochester. 

The reports they contain ol events in the War 

of 1«12 -told as news of the day— and the light they 

throw on the early settlement of the city seem to be 

of so much local interest that 1 have been requested 

to have them printed and given to the Historical 

Society. After the lapse of a centuiy it is hoped that 

no propriety is violated in making these private letters 

public. 

J. SHERLOCK ANDREWS. 

123 St. Paul Street, Rochester. 
January, 1914. 



Canandaigua, August 27, 1812. 
Dear Sir: 

An express arrived this moment from Buffalo in- 
forming that Genl. Hull and the Army under his com- 
mand are prisoners of War to his Britanic Majesty; 
that Genl. Hull was now at Fort Erie, that the Enemy 
has taken Detroit and Fort Meehackimacinae. It is 
said Genl. Hull was obliged to surrender in conse- 
quence of all supplyes being cut off and his Army all 
sick excepting eight hundred men. Under these cir- 
cumstances. Sir, the prospects on the frontiers are 
very gloomy at this hour and unless the general gov- 
ernment affords immediate relief the settlements in 
New Connecticut (? ? ?) and generally on the western 
frontiers will be cut off or deserted. 

I have been so constantly engaged in public and 
private business that I have not had time to effect the 
object contemplated when you were here, but shall 
attend to it as soon as practicable. Mrs. Atwater, 
Eliza and Samuel left a week since for Connecticut. 
I expect they at Mr. Whittlesy's at this time. Be 
pleased to remember me gratefully to your family and 
our friends. 

I am, Sir, affectionately your 
friend and humble, servt., 

MOSES ATWATER. 
Samuel J. Andrews, Esq. 



Ganandaigua, Sept. 18, 1812. 
Dear Sir: 

I have this hour rec'd your letter of the 6th Instant 
and also acknowledge the receipt of one in July last. 
The constant, unceasing press of private and public 
business must be my only excuse — were I to follow my 
own inclination I should write you every mail and 
write many things now and some that would be inter- 
esting. The present is a distressing day with the in- 
habitants on some part of the North Western frontier. 
God in his mercy grant speedy relief. The most de- 
cisive measure is immediately to be taken to (?) upon 
Canada. If the Am. Government are in possession of 
the Lakes the B. Provinces must fall— this will be the 
case I believe within six weeks. 

Judge Porter, Sir, soon after you left this went to 
Detroit, returned sick and like to have died— he was 
able to be brought in to this town where his family 
was last Monday and has spent this afternoon with 
me. He says that he owns the lot next to Stones and 
that there is a good mill seat upon it but I have not 
been able to get his terms. I have agreed to go out 
with him and look at it as soon as he is able which 
will be in a few days; as soon as I do this I will write. 
I think I shall be able to do better with Porter than 
any other person. Hallot was to have written me and 
given me his proposition but has not. I shall en- 
deavour to make every inquiry and giving an every 
information on the subject in my power for I do think 
it to be an object of the first magnitude. 

I reed a letter from Eliza dated Wallingford 3d 
inst. that informed me Mrs. Atwater had the fever and 
ague which I was very sorry to hear as it must at best 



render her visit very unpleasant but I hope it has left 
her before this. I expect she will calculate to set out 
for home about the time this letter reaches you, and if 
she should not be at your house I wish you would take 
measures to have the letter inclosed immediately sent 
to her as it will be necessary she should receive it 
before she leaves Connecticut. Please to make my 
best compliments to your Dr. W. and family. 

I am Dr. Sir, your Humb. Svt., 

MOSES Al^WATER. 
Samuel J. Andrews, Esq. 



Canandaigua, October the 11th, 1812. 
Dear sir: 

Inclosed is the information we received by last 
coming mail from Buffalo. About ten thousand men 
are now on the Niagara Frontier under the command 
of Gen. S. Van Rensselaer, and an equal number at 
Detroit under the command of Gov, Harrison. It is 
expected by the best informed in this part of the coun- 
try that a successful descent will shortly be made on 
upper Canada. 

I have, Sir, after so long a time been able to obtain 
Judge Porter's terms for his mill seat and lot contain- 
ing thirty-two acres of land situated on the east side 
of the Genesee River and is the lot next to and adjoin- 
ing Mr. Stone Lot on which a Mill was erected at the 
time you, Mr. Whittlesey and myself were their. Mr. 
Porter declares to me that it is the only mill seat on 
that side of the River between Stone's Mill and the 
Lake, he also describes the conveniences attached to it 
in the same words that you did. That there is stone 
on the spot to build the walls of the mill, that the same 
ought to be built of stone in consequence of spray 
that arrives from the falls. His price is one thousand 
dollars payable in one year. 

In consequence, Sir, of Mrs. Atwater's being ab- 
sent, and public business I have had to do since you 
were here. I have not been absent but one night from 
home. I have not written to Mr. Whittlesey. I have 
not heard from Mr. John McKay, nor from Mr. Hallot. 
I will go to the River this week or as soon as possible 
and will take a mill-wright and write you more partic- 
ular. I expect that I can purchase land adjoining the 
mill lot from 10 to 12 dollars per acre. I have not had 



any letter from Mrs. Atwater this month past, of course 
shall expect her home this fall. I have understood 
since Samuel left this that he had determined not to 
return to Mr. Gernsey's but I hope it will not prove 
true. If it should my family and self would be very 
much concerned (?). I wish you to write me imme- 
diately as to this mill seat and lot of Porter's. At 
present it is my opinion that we ought to close with 
him immediately. I consider the mill seat worth more 
than the money and the moment peace takes place a 
village will be built up there. The Bridge is fmished. 
I wish you could come out this fall. I am, Sir, your 
Humble Servt. 

MOSES ATWATER. 

Sanmel J. Andrews, Esq. 



Canandaigua, October 17, 1812. 
James Andrews, Esq. 

Sir: I have this day for the first time been able 
to obtain of Augustus Porter, Esq., his written terms 
for the sale of Lot No. 7 containing the great fall on the 
Genesee River and situated on the east side of the same 
and being the particular one that you, Mr. Whittlesey 
and myself determined to purchase. The following 
is a copy of Mr. Porter's proposition. 

Canandaigua, Oct. 17, 1812. 
Sir: 

As to Lot No. 7 in Township No. 13 in the seventh 
range, containing about thirty-two acres, about which 
we have had some conversation, I will agree that you 
have the lot on the following terms, to-wit, for one 
thousand dollars payable the one-half in six, and the 
residue in twelve months, with Interest, this proposi- 
tion to be considered as binding on me for two days 
and no longer, as I should be unwilling to lock up the 
sales of my property for any longer time. 
Yours respectfully, 

AUGUSTUS PORTER. 
Judge Atwater. 

— Copy— 
I have no perticular objection to vary the terms 
of payment of the within Lot to one year instead of 
six and twelve months, as stated within and the time 
of Refusal to twenty-four days. 

Oct. 17. 1812. AUGUSTUS PORTER. 



— Copy — 

The following is a proposition from William Shep- 
pard, and Augustus Porter — 

Augustus Porter for himself and William Shep- 
pard, agent for Joseph Blake, agree to sell to Moses 
Atwater, Esq. Lot No. 4 of the 3d division of lots in 
Township No. 13 in the 7 Range at ten dollars per acre 
for cash or prompt pay. 



— Copy— 

Canandaigua, October the 16, 1812. 
Sir: 

I have, agreeable to your request, minutely exam- 
ined the mill seat on the upper fall of the Genesee 
River belonging to Augustus and Peter B. Porter, and 
am of opinion that by digging a raceway thirty-four 
rods that a grist-mill, a saw-mill, a flax-seed mill, a 
fulling mill, a distillery may have lasting water and 
capable of doing good business. 

ELI LYON. 

—Copy- 
Moses Atwater, Esq. 

I will erect you a saw-mill the next season on the 
fall above described; the same shall be 42 feet long and 
32 feet wide and shall carry two saws, for $770. or I 
will build you a saw-mill for one saw 42 feet long and 
20 feel wide for $600. and will finish the same compleat 
and turn and prepare the water for same and make and 
place all the necessary defenders to secure the mill 
from accident of drift-wood or freshets and put the 
mill compleatly to work, the above same shall be made 
of good white oak timber taken from the lot. 

ELI LYON. 



—Copy- 
Dear sir: 

On Thursday of the present week I took the fore- 
going Eli Lyon who is considered as the best mill- 
wright in the county and viewed and examined the 
falls on the Genesee River and more particularly the 
upper or large fall and the land adjoining the same. 
The Fall and mill seat more than answered my expec- 
tation and the lands that I propose to purchase adjoin- 
ing the falls I consider to be of the first quality, to wit, 
the mill lot and three lots directly north and adjoining 
the mill lot or river. The mill lot will cost $1,000 the 
other lots 610.00 per acre, so that we shall have 128 
acres of land almost in square form of the best quality 
for $1,960, including a situation that will he perfectly 
safe for any quantity of machinery. The place that 
Mr. Lyon proposes to build the saw-mill, if we put him 
to work is on or near the east corner of the fall and 
does not calculate to (extend into) the water out of 
Bank of the River. Mr. Lyon is to be at all the in build- 
ing, finishing & putting the mill in motion; it is to be 
well boarded and shingled and in every way finished, 
and makes no doubt but it will stand safe and do con- 
stant business. If we should think proper and advis- 
able to build a mill next season Mr. Lyon will want us 
to furnish him with 3 or 4 hundred dollars to purchase 
the irons this fall or by 20 January. I expect to be 
able to obtain a credit for all the lands I purchase 
except those I purchase oi Mr. Porter. 1 am, Sir, de- 
cidedly of opinion that this will be an advantageous 
purchase and that it ought to be closed within the 24 
days. I hope you will write me the hour you receive 
this letter. I tryed to purchase of Enos Stone a piece 



of land between the Bridge and the fall but could not 
succeed. The Bridge is corapleated and there is much 
travel on that Road. I have not heard a sylable from 
Mrs. Atwater or Eliza in three weeks; my little family 
is in health. On last Tuesday an engagement took 
place between the Americans and English at Queens- 
town. 1200 Americans Crossed; about 800 were taken 
prisoners. The battle was severe. Maj. Genl. Brock 
was shot and died within 24 hours. Brig. Genl William 
Wadsworth was taken prisoner. Times look a little 
squally, but I think cannot continue long. Be so good 
as to remember me to your wife and our friends, 
I am Dr. Sir, respectfully, 

Your friend and Humb. Servt. 

MOSES ATWATER. 
Samuel J. Andrews. 



Canandaigua, October 28, 1812. 
Dear Sir : 

The propositions made me for the purchase of One 
hundred and twenty-eight Acres of land on the east 
side of the Genesee River including the large fall of the 
same by Augustus Porter, William Shephard and 
Zachiriah Seymour, I have thought proper and ex- 
pedient to accept and have notified them of the same. 
It will be some time before the necessary Deeds can be 
made and delivered. Lot No. 7 is the property of Au- 
gustus and Peter B. Porter as is also the one-third of 
Lot No. 4, the other two-thirds of the Lot is the prop- 
erty of J. Blake of Boston for whom William Shepard 
is agent. The other two Lots, No. 5 and G, is the prop- 
erty of Elisha Jinkins and his brothers and sisters for 
whom Zachiriah Seymour is agent. I expect that about 
thirteen hundred dollars must be paid in one year 
from the sale, the residue on a credit of 2, 4 & 6 years, 
but shall let you know perlicularly when the writings 
are closed. 

I hope. Sir, this purchase may meet your appro- 
bation. I am of opinion that it will be advisable to 
erect a saw-mill with two saws on the point of the fall 
next season and clear and put into wheat about 20 or 
30 acres of land contiguous to the fall, if the same 
should be judged proper by yourself and Mr. Whittle- 
sey. I hope to hear from you shortly. Mrs. Atwater 
reached home last Saturday in good health. 

MOSES ATWATER. 
Sir: 

In making the foregoing purchase I have had 
special view as to the healthiness of the stand and I 
am fully convinced it is the most healthy spot on the 



Genesee River and as much so as any one in the coun- 
try, and am fully confident that as a place of business 
no one in the country can bear a comparison. The 
Bridge is completed. A direct Road has this summer 
been laid out from this Village to the Bridge and by 
mensuration is exactly 25 miles which will be as good 
as any other Road of the same distance in the county 
and the most traveled. The Village on the other side 
is fast progressing; all the boards that we could make 
would demand Cash. Do let me hear from you. 
I am Dr Sir, 

Your very humble servant, 

M. ATWATER. 



Canandaigua, Nov. 21st, 1812. 
Dear Sir: 

I reed your letter of the 5th inst. and have in com- 
pliance to your wishes and I believe to your future 
satisfaction closed a bargain with Augustus Porter, 
Peter B. Porter, Zachiriah Sej-mour and William Shep- 
ard, for Lots number seven, six, five and four of the 
third division of lots in Township Number Thirteen 
and are bounded westwardly on the Genesee River and 
each lot contains thirty acres of land making in the 
whole one hundred and twenty-eight acres of land for 
and in consideration of One Thousand eight hundred 
and fifty-six dollars ('flSoG). Thirteen hundred ninety- 
five dollars and twenty cents with interest on the same 
from the 30th of Oct. last must be paid on the thirtieth 
day of October, 1813. making principal and interest 
$1492.86. The residue in four iMjual Annual payments 
from next October. 

The importance of owning the land that is now 
the property of Mr. Enos Stome situated between the 
Bridge, the Genesee River, our land and the Road lead- 
ing up and down the River, struck me with the same 
impression expressed in your letter. I spent a day 
with him with a view to purchase it if possible, but I 
could not persuade him to mention any price. 

I will asure you. my dear friend, that 1 have 
laboured more to make the within purchase than any 
one I ever made in my life, and I do not hesitate to say 
that it bids fair to yeald the most considering the sum 
to be paid. Mr. Whittlesy in his letter too approbated 
the purchase of Lot No. 7, to-wit, the mill lot, but did 
not the other lots. I was positive the other lots were 
an object and that the present chance must not be 



passed, I have more arguments to assign you in 
favour of this purchase than I can commit to paper 
at this time but sufTicit to say that it is the only prob- 
able mill seat that can ever be on this side the River 
from the Bridge to the Lake. I hope Sir that you and 
Mr. Whittlesey may view it in the same light that 
I do & that you may in due time reside with us. But, 
if on reflection, you should be disposed to think it or 
any part of it not worth your notice I will take the 
whole on your giving me notice any time with three 
months. If consistent with your business I think you 
had better come out and spend four or five weeks with 
me this winter. I do think that it will be a good time 
to purchase land. 

The Niagara falls prevent my sleeping. They 
will be a prime object the moment the war ends. Gen. 
Smyth will make a decent on Canada this present week. 
God grant that he may be successful. . I or my brother 
shall go on to the lines to-morrow and remain until 
we shall know the event. Write me the next mail and 
let me know when I shall have the pleasure to see you. 
Will you. Sir, have the goodness to inform me what 
six good Merino Ewes full Blootl might be purchased 
for. I have purchased a lull Blood Buck of Samuel M. 
Hopkins, Esq., Please to make my best respects to Mrs. 
Andrews, Mrs. Vorse & friends, 

I am Sir, as formerly, your humble 
servant, 

M. ATWATER. 
Samuel J. Andrews, Esq. 



Canandaigua, Dec. 6, 1812. 
Dear Sir: 

I this day rec'd your letter of the 26 Nov. last. In 
my last letter to you I meant to state and did state in 
detail the purchase made for the concern of Andrews, 
Whittlesy and Atwater; there is to be no money paid 
under one year from the time of purchase. I hope, 
Sir, that Mr. Whittlesy will not withdraw. I am shure 
there is a large field open to make property and in that 
line that you and he are calculated to persue. 

It is impossible to delineate in a letter the ad- 
vantages that this stand commands, or the capital that 
may be employed to advantage. As to myself, Sir, I 
should not think it best to do anything at building un- 
til the saw-mill is in motion for a board cannot be pro- 
cured even for cash. You have no conception of the 
demand there is for lumber at this place. I would 
advise to have a saw-mill built as soon as possible, but 
that cannot be done until the water is low in the River, 
which will not be untill .luly or August. I would also 
advise to have 20 or 30 acres of ground cleared, put 
into wheat and sowed with grass-seed, that we may 
have pasture and mowing as soon as possible. 

Next summer will be an unfavourable season to 
do much business of this kind as provisions will be 
scarce and dear. I do not think it will be advisable to 
lay out much money in buildings untill the War shall 
be at an end, but never will there be a better time to 
purchase land than the present. I think Sir, that a 
saw-mill with two saws ought to be put up as soon as 
possible. The lumber ought to be cut this winter, also 
20 or thirty acres of wheat put in by 10th Sept. next by 
contract or otherwise. I will bear my part of the ex- 



pense of the same. If you and Mr. Whittlesy agree to 
it I am perfectly willing to do anything that I can do to 
your mutual satisfaction. I am unacquainted with 
building mills but well acquainted with clearing land. 
If we make any improvement of this kind which 
in my opinion is actually necessary you must come 
out here at my house in your own proper person with 
delegated powers from Mr. Whittlesey to act on his 
behalf, as he has given me no power to act on this 
account. I wish you would calculate to be here the 
first January. You must calculate to be with me three 
weeks in which time we can make the necessary con- 
tracts, and I hope we may be able to persuade Enos 
Stone to sell us the land between the Bridge and the 
fall at some price. You must bring Dama, if her cir- 
cumstances will admit, if not some of the girls. I 
wish you would call on Mr. Stephen .Tarvis, I believe 
he had better come out with you, we will introduce 
him to some good stand (?). I shall depend on seeing 
you at my house on the first day of January and shall 
wait home. Please to wright on the Rect of this. 

I am, Sir, your friend, 

M. ATWATER. 
Samuel J. Andrews. 



Canandaigua, Dec. 10th, 1812. 

Dear sir: 

The expedition of Genl. A. Smyth has failed, the 
cause yet unknown. The Volunteers called to his as- 
sistance all dismissed. I think there will be no more 
fighting on this line untill the next season and I think 
probably a peace may be negotiated in that time. In- 
closed is a narration of the transaction. - - In my 
last as in my former Letters, I gave it as my opinion 
that it would not be expedient to make any other im- 
provement on our property at the falls the next season 
than to build a saw-mill with two saws and to put into 
wheat 20 or 30 acres and that this should be done by 
contract. 1 obtained and did enclose you Mr, Lyons 
proposals lor the building of the saw-mill as he is the 
most approved mill wright in the country and has 
built more mills than any other three men in the coun- 
ty. He built Stones Mill and has built all the mills the 
Nortons have had built in this country; or if we wish 
he will work by the day. The timber ought to be fell 
and got out in the month of February. 

I think Sir, it would be highly advisable for you to 
establish a store at the bridge as soon as practicable, 
for if you do not inimedialely occupy the opening some 
other person you may depend will. I think you had 
better calculate to call on Mr. Whitllesy and advise 
with him what improvements he will consent to have 
made the ensuing season and at the same time author- 
ize you to contract for the same, and for you to be at 
my house the first of January or as near that time as 
you can make it convenient. 

I wish you to purchase for me and bring on with 
you if convenient or forward on one of those family 



Spninsters so called, that will carry ten or 12 Spindles. 
I take it to be an improvement or an invention of Mr. 
Humphrey, at any rale, I wish you to purchase me 
one that is best calculated for family use. Mrs. At- 
water is very desirous of having one as she will have 
a very considerable quantity of wool to manufacture 
the next season. In a former letter I requested you to 
ascertain the price of full Blood Ewes. If they can be 
obtained reasonable I would purchase 6 or less, will 
you have the goodness to write me on the question of 
this. I am Sir, respectfully, your friend, 

MOSES ATWATER. 
Samuel J. Andrews, Esq. 



Canandaigua, January 29, 1813. 
Dear sir: 

Your letters of Dec. 2nd ult. and Jany 14th inst 
are before me. I will apprise you. Sir, that it gives 
me and my family peculiar pleasure that you are 
pleased and satisfied with the purchase at the falls and 
that you are at length willing to leave one of the most 
rough and forbidding spots in creation and settle with 
your family on the bank of the Genesee, that River that 
is peculiarly calculated to furnish every thing that is 
desirable to man. I shall, agreeable to your request, 
immediately contract for a saw-mill to be erected on 
the premises as soon as the same can be done; the tim- 
ber for the mill must be cut next month. I shall also 
contract to have twenty or thirty acres cleared and 
put into wheat and hay-seed this summer this much 
will be all imi)ortant for us to do this summer that 
we may be prepared to do something to elTect the next. 

I have not heard a sylable from Mr. Whittlesy on 
the subject of improvement on this property. I wish 
you to write him and re(|uesl him to write me on the 
subject. The season is so far advanced that the con- 
tract for the mill must be made before I can hear from 
him. I did hope to have seen you here this present 
month and known your and Mr. W'hiltlesy's wishes on 
the subject of improvement but in this I am disap- 
pointed and I will do every thing in my power that 
those things that are left with me to transact shall not 
be neglected. As to commencing business in the mer- 
chantile line this Spring to advantage is a question 
with me that it will be one of the first stands in our 
country when peace is established I have no doubt and 
when it is advisable to go into that line of business I 
should wish to be connected with you in it. 



There are extensive measures now taking to make 
this place of more consequence than any one in our 
country. Mumford, Browns and Rochester have laid 
their land out into Village Lots and a great number of 
them are taken up. I am informed that Mr. Enos 
Stone is about to do the same with his land that is con- 
tiguous to the River. 

A Road is laid out by an Act of the Legislature 
from this town to the Bridge as you will see by the 
report inclosed. I shall go out and see Stone next week 
and if possible make a purchase of him at the Bridge. 
I do think. Sir, with you, that Mr. Jarvis might better 
his situation if he could be incouraged to this place. 
I wish you to wright Mr. Whittlesy on this subject and 
let Mr. Jarvis know what inducement he can receive 
from us. I will agree to any thing on this subject that 
you and Mr. Whittlesy will. I am confident that Jarvis 
will be as useful as any one man that we can mention. 
I wish. Sir, that a Company might be formed that 
would invest 20 thousand dollars or more in real prop- 
erty contiguous to those falls. Do, sir, if possible, get 
Capt. Ward Atwater and some of our friends engaged 
in a speculation that must prove extremely beneficial. 
The inconvenience of getting on the Merino Ewes and 
the machine I wrote you will prevent my purchasing 
this season. 

We are now petitioning the Legislature for in- 
corporating a Bank in this town by the name of the 
Ontario Bank with a capital 500,000 Dollars; if it 
should be granted we calculate the stock will be as 
good as any Bank Stock in the State. They \Nill be 50 
dollars to the share. Be so good, as to inform by the 
first mail how many shares I shall put your name 
down for; the stock will be taken up immediately after 
the books are opened. I will wTite you soon, 

MOSES ATWATER. 



Canandaigua, Feby. 10th, 1813. 

Samuel Andrews, Esq. 

Sir: the following is a copy of an agreement for 
building a new Saw-mill at the falls. 

Articles of Agreement indented, made and entered 
into between Moses Atwater of Canandaigua in the 
County of Ontario and State of New York, of the first 
part, and Eli Lyon and Norman Lyon of Bloomfield 
in the County and State aforesaid, of the second part, 
Witnesseth: That the said Eli and Norman doth for 
and in consideration of five hundred dollars to be paid 
to them as hereinafter mentioned and expressed, cov- 
enant, promise and agree to and with the said Moses 
his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, that 
they the said Eli and Norman will on or before the first 
day of October in the year 1813 build and erect a saw- 
mill on the largest fall of the Genesee River 
near the East bank of said River and have the same 
covered with pine Boards and shingles and to build 
such dams, projections and fortifications with timbers 
and stones in said River as shall best command the 
water for the use of said mill and save the same harm- 
less from freshets of water and of drift-wood. The 
said mill is to be built 46 feet in length and 20 feet in 
width and is to cut at least when in motion two thous- 
and feet of boards in 24 hours. The timber for the said 
mill and other work is to be taken ofT the land adjoin- 
ing the falls by the said Eli and Norman if the same 
can be found thereon. The timber for the said mill is 
to be cut this present month. The mill is to be built 
very strong and stout and all the foregoing work is to 
be done in a neat, substantial, workmanlike manner, 
same to be delivered over to the said Atwater in a com- 



pleat, finished situation by the first day of next Octo- 
ber. And the said Eli and Norman doth warrant to 
the said Moses and his heirs and assigns that the said 
mill shall saw at least 2000 feet of boards in 24 hours 
and also that it shall stand secure against any water 
or timber for the term of two years from the 1st day 
of Oct. 1813. For and in consideration of the fore- 
going work and labour the sd Atwater promises to 
pay the said Eli and Norman two hundred on or before 
the first day of April next and the further sum of three 
hundred dollars on the first day of October, in the 
year 1813, making in the whole the sum of five hun- 
dred dollars. 

Witness our hands and seals the 10th day of Feby., 
1813. 

ELI LYON (L. S.) 
NORMAN LYON (L. S.) 
MOSES ATW^\TER ( L. S.) 

Mr. S. J. Andrews 

Sir; I shall in a few days make a contract for 
clearing 20 acres of land, a negotiation is now pending; 
I shall have some allowances to make for that but do 
not know how much. 

M. A. 



Canandaigua March 27, 1813. 

Dear sir : 

I returned from the Falls last evening, was two 
nights at Stones, I proffered Mr. Enos Stone for the 
piece of land lying between the bridge and our land 
supposed to contain from ten to fifteen acres; he at 
last offered it to me for one hundred and fifty Dollars 
for each acre, and I am to give him an answer by the 
first day of June. We want this piece of land very 
much and I do not see but we shall find it absolutely 
necessary to purchase it. The situation of it is such 
that I think if you were here you would certainly pur- 
chase it; the Corner by the Bridge is undoubtedly the 
best spot on the river for Store or Tavern. Stone says 
that he has been offered one thousand dollars for one 
acre at the Bridge. Land has risen and is now very 
high near the bridge; land on this side of the River 
and within three miles of the bridge is from eight to 
ten dollars per Acre by the 100 Acres. 

I have not heard a word from Mr. .Jarvis or my 
Brother Joel Atwater, who lives in Westfield. If they 
should make up their minds to make a purchase in this 
the sooner the better. I hope to see you, Mr. Whittle- 
sey, Mr. Jarvis and my Brother Joel at my house by 
the middle of May, as to you. Sir, you must be here in 
your own proper person. If you can persuade Mr. 
Vorse to take an interest at the fall it will be important. 
We have a Bank Charter — we are now advertising for 
the opening the books, and shall have it in operation 
by September. We agreed to have William Kibbe of 
New York as Cashier of the Bank and have chosen 
Nathaniel Gorham as President. This arrangement 
was made previous to my rec'g your last letter. I beg 



you, sir, to \sTite me on the receit of this letter and let 
me know for a certainty at what time you will be at my 
house, that I may calculate accordingly. See Jarvis 
and know what he can and what he will do. I wish 
I could be with you one week. 

I shall subscribe for you to the bank to the amount 
of one thousand dollars and more I hope after I have 
heard from you, it will be good stock. I will write you 
often and you must answer my letters punctually. 

MOSES ATWATER. 



Canandaigua, March 30, 1813. 

Dear sir: 

I inclose to you a paper containing the Law for 
our Bank, together with the notification for Opening 
the Books. I hope you will be here by the 15th. of 
May. In case you should not you must write me how 
many shares you will take. We are confident the 
stock will be taken up in a short time. I shall sub- 
scribe for 100 shares. 

I shall beg the favour of you. sir, if you can make 
it convenient to see ray daughter Eliza home from 
Catskill when you come on in May. I think it all im- 
portant that you and Mr. Whittlesy should be here 
at that time and I have written to Mr. Jarvis wishing 
him to accompany you. I think you had better come 
on in a light two-horse waggon; pray bring out your 
eldest Daughter and let her remain with my girls. We 
have a good school. Write me if you will be willing 
to take the trouble of Eliza and what time you will be 
here. In haste I am Dr Sir, 

I am sincerely 

Your friend 

MOSES ATWATER. 
Samuel J. Andrews. 



Canandaigua, April 7, 1813. 
James Andrews, Esq. 

Sir: I have this day rec'd your letter of March 
the 25 ult. I am very glad to hear that Mr. Jarvis is a 
coming on with you. I wrote you a short time since 
requesting you to see Eliza home when you came on, 
but I have since agreed with Mr. Underbill to see her 
home in company with a Mrs. Smith with whom Eliza 
has been long acquainted. 1 this day rec'd a letter 
from Eliza dated March 30 informing that Mr. Whit- 
tlesy lay at the point of death. May God of his mercy 
grant restoration. I shall expect you will have the 
goodness to let some of our female friends accompany 
you; a visit from them would be very pleasing. I 
want you to be here in season both as it respects the 
bank and the operations at the River. If you can con- 
veniently I think you had better be here by the 15 or 
20th of May at the furtheresl. We are in usual health. 
Remember me to Mrs. Andrews, Mrs. Vorse and 
friends, 

MOSES ATWATER. 



Canandaigua, July 8th day, A. D., 1814. 
My dear friend and Brother, 

Sir: Gratefully do I acknowledge the reception 
the sundry letters from you that have not been duly 
answered by me. Two reasons are offense for this re- 
missness. The one — I had nothing to communicate 
worthy of your notice— the other, my time has been 
very much taken up with public and private concerns. 
I am sure your charity will remove every unfavorable 
impression you may have received. Nothing Sir has 
been done to improve our property at the Genesee 
Falls. Mr. Whiltlesy wrote me advising me not to do 
anything there until peace should take place. The 200 
Dollars I paid to Lyon is yet in his hand. Brown does 
not claim only to the center of the River and will re- 
move the dam on this side any time we wish. Last 
Dec. I rec'd an answer to the letter I wrote to Col. 
Troup by you the substance of which is in the follow- 
ing words — 

The sale of the lands belonging to the Pultney 
Estate is for the present suspended in consequence of 
the death of Sir John Johnston and the non-renewal of 
Col. Troup's powers. As soon as we shall be able to 
renew our sales I shall give you immediate notice that 
you may have an opportunity of buying the land men- 
tioned in your letter- signed-Joseph Fellows. 

Some time since there has been a dividend made 
by the Directors of the Ontario Bank for the first six 
months. Vou have s23.40. The Board of Directors 
have ordered that five dollars on cash shares be paid 
into the Bank on the 12lh day of September next. I 
have taken the liberty to inclose you a blank powder. I 
hope and expect and shall positively depend on seeing 
you and Mrs. Andrews at my house at that time. 
— War is the order of the day. Last Saturday night 
Gen. Jacob Brown crossed the Niagara River above 



and below Black Rock with 4,000 men and took pos- 
session of Fort Erie with one hundred and forty pris- 
oners. On Tuesday this force meet a smaller force of 
the enemy on Samuel Street's farm. You will recollect 
this is the place where we sleep and is two miles west 
of the Chipeway Creek. Here a battle took place and 
forty-live of the enemy was killed and thirty-five of the 
Americans. They drove the F:nemy to the other side 
of the Chipeway Creek where they had erected strong 
Batteries; here the action ceased. It is expected that 
a more general action will take place in a few days. I 
believe that Gen. Brown's whole force is about 10,000 
men. We do not hear that Com. Chancey is out with 
his fleet but is daily expected. I hope Sir that we may 
shortly have an honorable peace but I see no reason 
to expect it. If we do not have a peace innnediately 
we shall have a long, bloody and ruinous war. 

If the Enemy has the compleat command of Lake 
Ontario the inhabitants of this part of our County will 
be placed in a very desperate situation. You will Sir 
be so good as to recollect that when I was at Derby 
last fall about the time thai Capt. Vorse and Capt. 
Thompson came to this county, you engaged in a most 
solemn and honorable manner that in case your good 
wife would not come out with them you would per- 
sonally accompany her this summer to this place in 
case her personal circumstances should be such that 
she could come with decency and safely. I am assured 
by Panthea and Julia that Dama is altogether prepared 
for the journey. I shall expect to see you & Dama and 
I hope Whittlesy and Lavinia at my house in Septem- 
ber next. Under this expectation I shall make a point 
of remaining at home to wait on you. I am Sir, your 
friend 

MOSES ATWATER. 
Samuel J. Andrews, Esq. 



Canandaigua, Sept. 9, 1814. 

Dear sir: 

Your letter of Augt. 24 ult. came safe to hand with 
260 Dollars inclosed therein, which I have paid into 
the Bank being the instalment due on your fifty two 
shares on the middle of this month. You are apprised 
before this the stand the Banks in New York have 
taken, to what extent this will effect the country Banks 
I do not know. The prospect of the nation is gloomy. 
The visionary prospect of peace is no more. The 
nation is at War not only with England but with her- 
self, her public councils are paralysed and no united 
effort can be made. 

As to the Army at Fort Niagara they are safe for 
the present. But in a few days the Enemy will have 
the command of Lake Ontario. This frontier will be 
in the utmost jeopardy. Julia I expect is safe home 
before this. Please to remember us all cordially to 
your dear family and friends. Respectfully Sir, am 

Your friend 

MOSES ATWATER. 

Samuel J. Andrews, Esq. 

The Instalment due the 15th inst. on fifty two On- 
tario Bank Shares held by Saml. J. Andrews has been 
paid by Moses Atwater, Esq. & entered on the Bank 
Books. 

WM. KIBBE, 

Cashier. 
Canandaigua, Sept. 9th, 1814. 



The letter containing an account of the battle of 
Lake Erie — if it ever was written — has been lost. 

J. S. A. 



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